NHL Rumors: Latest Post-Lockout Chatter

There are lots of unsigned players on the free-agent market, both unrestricted and restricted, and they will be among the first players to work out contracts under the new rules enforced by the latest CBA.

The trade market will also heat up, as teams prepare for a lockout-shortened season in which the playoffs are a realistic possibility for nearly every team.

Now that general managers have the option to buy out two players after this year, we could see even more trades than usual from now until the start of the 2013-14 season.

For all the latest rumors surrounding free agents, trades and everything else involved with the NHL, check back to this article daily.

Tim Thomas Not Returning to NHL?

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When Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas decided to leave the NHL and retire over the summer, the team moved on and is now ready to have Tuukka Rask become the starting goaltender of the present and future.

Thomas is in the final year of his contract with a salary cap hit of $5 million, but his actual salary is $3 million. As long as he's committed to staying in Colorado and not playing at all this year, Thomas has very little, if any trade value.

If Thomas were to change his mind, he would have tremendous value to the Bruins as trade bait. Until that happens, the Bruins are stuck with his $5 million cap hit. Although, the Bruins can suspend Thomas and not have to pay him his salary if he doesn't join the team this season.

P.K. Subban Contract Update

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Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban is the most talented restricted free agent who hasn't signed a new contract yet.

Here's the latest update on Subban's contract situation, according to TSN:

The 23-year-old defenceman, who earned US$875,000 in the final year of his entry-level contract last season and remains a restricted free agent, is thought to be seeking a long-term deal with the club.

General manager Marc Bergevin calls getting pen to paper with Subban a priority. He is one of the team's most popular players with fans and one of the Habs' leaders in average ice time.

The Canadiens know how important Subban is to their success, and very rarely do you find a defenseman with his kind of mobility, strength and offensive talent.

Jamie Benn Update

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Dallas Stars superstar Jamie Benn could become the first player to sign a huge contract under the rules of the new CBA.

"Benn has a lot of leverage in this," said Johnson. "He's the key to that entire lineup... They have to re-sign him and he knows that."

As a franchise cornerstone type of player, Benn deserves a yearly salary of at least $5 million. Even though he's only 23 years old, Benn has already played three full seasons in the NHL, and scored 20-plus goals in each of those years.

Michael Del Zotto Contract Update

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New York Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto is one of the top restricted free agents that needs to be signed before regular season games begin later this month.

I do not know who or what he will be traded for, and believe it or not, I don’t think general managers Mike Gillis and Brian Burke know either. The rules of any new collective bargaining agreement will dictate the actual transaction.

Now that we have a CBA, a trade involving Luongo could happen any time after the deal is ratified, and TSN's Bob McKenzie (via Spector's Hockey) has the latest Luongo-to-Leafs update:

@tsnbobmckenzie says there is no deal in place which would ship Roberto Luongo from Canucks to Maple Leafs. Leafs are interested, though.

No one will be surprised if the Leafs make a major goaltending upgrade by acquiring Luongo, but it may take time because he is an elite player, and the Canucks have to make sure they get the most value in return.

Phoenix Coyotes Ownership

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Following the Glendale City Council's vote to pass the Coyotes' arena-lease deal in November, a deadline of January 31 was set for Greg Jamison to buy the franchise, according to Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports.

Regardless of your opinion on the Coyotes and whether you think they should be relocated to a place like Quebec City, it would be nice to see the franchise have a solid ownership group for the first time in years.

With strong ownership, the Coyotes may have a chance of being successful on and off the ice in the Phoenix area.

Linus Omark and the Detroit Red Wings

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The next challenge for Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland following the lockout is to strengthen his team's depth as much as possible before the trade deadline.

Their line mate, Linus Omark, is similarly hot, with 12 goals and 31 assists in 29 games. Currently the property of the Oilers, Omark may be on the trading block and the Wings may have some interest.

Omark is a quality left winger who is just 25 years old. He scored 27 points (five goals and 22 assists) in 51 games during the 2010-11 season, but injury limited him to only 14 games last year.

The Red Wings would be wise to make an offer for Omark, and since the Oilers have plenty of talented young forwards, it would be surprising if Edmonton was unwilling to part with him for the right price.

A Return to Pittsburgh for Sergei Gonchar?

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The Pittsburgh Penguins need help on the blue line after last year's first-round playoff series against the rival Philadelphia Flyers.

The veteran defenceman, going into the final year of a contract paying him $5.5 million per season, will be targeted for a trade by the Pittsburgh Penguins once a collective bargaining agreement is reached.

Whether Gonchar’s former team waits until whatever date is set for the trade deadline or a makes a pitch before the season begins isn’t known, but league sources say Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero has interest in bringing back the 38-year-old.

Gonchar wouldn't be an inexpensive addition, but since each team has two buyouts as a result of the new CBA, the Penguins could make room for a possible Gonchar return. Although, any buyouts cannot take place until after the 2012-13 season.

The good news for the Senators is that the Penguins have a surplus of quality young defensemen who could be made available in a potential trade involving Gonchar.